Fahey is certain the United States Anti-Doping Agency have acted properly in their investigation of the seven-time Tour de France champion.

"I am confident and WADA is confident that the USADA acted within the WADA code, and that a court in Texas also decided not to interfere," Fahey said. "They now have the right to apply a penalty that will be recognised by all WADA code countries around the world."

On Thursday, in his hometown of Austin, Texas, 40-year-old Armstrong insisted he was innocent, but decided against fighting the USADA because he was weary of the prolonged legal dispute. The USADA claim they will impose a lifetime ban on Armstrong, and plan to strip him of the seven Tour titles he won from 1999-2005.

Armstrong sued the USADA in Austin in an attempt to block the case, but a judge threw it out on Monday, siding with USADA, despite questioning the agency's pursuit of the American cyclist in his retirement.

Fahey said Armstrong must now live with the consequences of his decision not to continue fighting allegations against him.

"He had a right to contest the charges. He chose not to," Fahey said. "The simple fact is that his refusal to examine the evidence means the charges had substance in them. Under the rules, penalties can now be imposed."

The International Cycling Union (UCI) is expected to make an announcement shortly, having backed Armstrong's legal challenge to USADA's authority.

When asked whether USADA had the authority to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles, Fahey replied: "Olympic medals and titles are for other agencies to decide, not WADA."

Travis Tygart, USADA's chief executive, has said Armstrong will be hit with a lifetime ban. Under the WADA code, he could lose other awards, event titles and cash earnings while the International Olympic Committee might look at the bronze medal he won in the 2000 Games.